Advancing a Hydrogel Vitreous Substitute for Retinal Surgery

Innovation is increasingly necessary to alleviate the systemic strain on healthcare systems around the world. However, despite significant investment in universities and hospitals to support the integration and application of research its application continues to greatly lag research discoveries. Graduate students play an increasing role in addressing this issue. They have the knowledge, motivation, and research expertise required but lack application experience and competencies. Co-curricular opportunities allow students to build and demonstrate their research translation competencies, build their resumes, and expand their professional networks. This will allow them to help drive an organization’s application of the latest research discoveries.

The Innovation Internship Umbrella Program (I2UP) is a co-curricular vehicle that leverages graduate research training to accelerate innovation at partner organizations. HQPs work closely with contextual experts, faculty, and advisors to 1.) identify or validate unmet needs, 2.) develop innovation strategies and conduct applied research, or 3.) to deploy and/or assess the implementation of new healthcare delivery solutions.

The introduction of I2UP across the Temerty Faculty of Medicine will:
• Help students gain real-world work experience, develop career path networks, and build core competencies necessary for innovative thinking.
• Help partner organizations identify talent as well as generate, implement, and assess innovative projects and new interventions.
• Help academics build stronger relationships with hospitals, the community, and the private sector to support knowledge mobilization and application.

Faculty Supervisor:

Joseph Ferenbok

Student:

Partner:

Synakis

Discipline:

Engineering

Sector:

Manufacturing; Professional, scientific and technical services

University:

University of Toronto

Program: